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Under new legislation a venue owner showing even one unlicensed musician could face up to a £20,000 fine and six months in prison.

However, a live music e-petition on the Number 10 website has already gathered about 5,000 signatures in just under a month in support of scrapping the changes. The e-petition, which takes a few seconds to sign, can be found at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/licensing/ and is currently one of the most active on the site.

Until recently bars were automatically entitled to one or two musicians (the ‘two in a bar’ rule), but will now have to seek a license. The changes also affect private performances raising money for charity and school performances open to friends and family.

The rationale behind the legislation is to prevent noise, crime and disorder (those pesky acoustic guitarists with their long hair and their ‘ideas’), to ensure public safety, and to protect children.

Some places are exempt, including places of public religious worship, royal palaces and moving vehicles and broadcast entertainment, including sport and music, is exempt, no matter where, and no matter how powerfully amplified.

Temporary Event Notices, which pubs and bars will now have to apply for cost £12 each, and only twelve are allowed per premises per year.

Links:
See the full MORI report on the effects of the changes on: http://www.culture.gov.uk/Reference/
Sign petition is at: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/licensing/